Fansided

NFL: 5 candidates to win Comeback Player of the Year

By Zack Kelberman

Sep 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) shown on the field before the game against the New England Patriots at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) shown on the field before the game against the New England Patriots at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 1, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) prior to the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) prior to the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots tight end

Other than Jimmy Graham, there is no better or more feared tight end than the man called Gronk. Unlike Graham, however, Gronkowski hasn’t seen much of the field in recent memory, thanks to a multitude of injuries that have kept him on the trainer’s table.

In 2013, it was a torn ACL/MCL that caused him to appear in just seven games. He made the most of his time on the field, recording 592 receiving yards and five touchdowns, but his absence hurt a Patriots offense that once-upon-a-time flowed through its tight ends.

Thus far, the status of Gronkowski has been quite positive. Beat writers have observed him “firing off the line, planting hard, cutting and catching passes” in training camp, making Tom Brady one happy quarterback. Though no tight end has ever won Comeback Player of the Year, it definitely shouldn’t be put past the nearly unguardable Gronkowski.

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